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Jersey Day, #makeitcount

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The Parramatta Eels, together with the Gremmo family, are urging Eels Members and fans to wear their favourite sporting jersey to work for ‘Jersey Day’ on Friday 1 September.

Jersey Day is a simple concept designed to raise awareness of The Organ and Tissue Authority and the DONATE LIFE network.

Jersey Dayhas been inspired by the story of Nathan Gremmo who was tragically lost in an accident in May 2015. Nathan’s family chose to give the gift of life to others to honour the legacy of Nathan’s generous personality.

This campaign is all about raising awareness.

“We would like to thank the Parramatta Eels for supporting Jersey Day this Friday. Nathan our son and Annaliese and Ashley’s brother passed away on the 1st of May 2015,” Michael Gremmo said at the Eels media day, launching the Club's involvement and support of the day.

“We started Jersey Day to create awareness about organ donations. Since then, three Jersey Days later, it’s unbelievable the amount of support that we’ve had. Especially from the NRL community, Rugby League and all the people involved."

"It is fantastic to see it’s growing every year, we’ve got enormous support from other sports, schools, work places, other associations and were hoping to save more lives. That's the main aim of the Jersey Day cause,” he continued.

With the Eels taking on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Friday, the Club would love to see our Members and fans support the cause and put on their favourite jerseys.

“On Friday we’d love to see everyone put on their favourite sporting jersey, whatever it may be, whichever code you may have and the main thing is to just start that conversation, have that conversation,” Michael said.

“As we say it’s always ok to say no if you don’t want to donate your organs, please make your family aware of it.”

“You can register online with organ donation, but the major thing is your family can overturn that decision which a lot of people don’t know about. So if you do have that conversation it makes it a lot easier for your family to make that decision to actually donate your organs and save lives."

The Gremmo's urge other families to act on this opportunity, by raising awareness of the importance to register as an organ donor at donatelife.gov.au

“Nathan saved six lives, including a baby. So it’s some piece of comfort that we actually get from the day and the ongoing support, there’s a number of other lives that Nathan has saved since then,” Michael said.

“Nathan was 13 when he passed away, his favourite team was the Eels, so we are very glad that the Eels are on board and Nathan would be very proud."

"His major team was the Hills Bulls that he played for, his granddad started 53 years ago. The whole club wear ‘Gremmo #7’ which was Nathan’s number so very proud to be associated with the Hills Bulls,” he added.

Richard Gremmo, Michaels brother also said, "at the two girls schools, and lots of schools, especially in the local area get involved. It’s great for the girls and their friends to be a part of the donate life message and it’s great for the girls to know they are helping the cause.”